The Philadelphia 76ers are obviously an idle party right now with the championship race down to just two teams, but diehards will certainly be able to get all sentimental and whatnot given that there are a couple of former Sixer players who will be duking it out in the Finals. Julian Champagnie is one of them, but not to be left behind is Landry Shamet, who will be on the other side of things.
Shamet, who was drafted by and suited up for the 76ers in his rookie campaign in 2018 before getting shipped in that same season, will be one of those under-the-radar pieces who could very well become a pendulum swinger in the Finals. The Knicks have consistently deployed him in the playoffs, and his production could end up being more controlling than expected.
New York and San Antonio are probably evenly matched given how both teams have looked in the playoffs, but the Spurs do have the homecourt advantage, which is huge in the Finals. But if there is one thing the Knicks can try to exploit, it is the fact that they have had a more reliable second unit so far in the postseason –– and Shamet is a major reason why.
Former 76ers wing Landry Shamet could end up being more important than expected in the Finals
San Antonio's second unit has actually registered a higher scoring average than New York's, but the Knicks do have more playable bodies. Shamet is one of them, and his three-point shooting and perimeter defense are going to be crucial for his team, especially agaisnt the Spurs' fleet of talented guards and wings.
So far, Shamet has only averaged 13.5 minutes per outing in the playoffs. While that might not seem like a lot, the eight-year veteran has made the most of his court time, averaging 5.7 points a night while shooting a blistering 60 percent from three-point range. The Spurs are a team that defends two-pointers really well, so it will be crucial for the Knicks to be able to punish them from downtown.
What makes Shamet even more important, however, is his surprising tenacity on the defensive end. Despite being undersized against most wings, he has been really good at limiting opposing guards. During their most recent series against the Cavs, Shamet defended Donovan Mitchell markedly well, and he was a major difference-maker during their Game 1 comeback win that set the tone for the rest of the series.
With both the Spurs and Knicks touting so many big names, Landry Shamet will not be the headline-getter. Still, the former 76ers wing can certainly impact a game or two with his steady shooting, especially if his defense can hold up against San Antonio's squadron of two-way guards and wings.
Add us as a preferred source on Google